Weights teacher, Matthew Best has resigned from his football coaching position. The board accepted his resignation on Wednesday, Jan. 14. He spent several years in the spot of Assistant Varsity Coach and Head Freshman Coach. His decision to leave was due to the simple factor of time. He said it was an excessive time commitment because “I live an hour away.” He also noted how he coaches other sports at AHS, such as Girls Track and Basketball, and then softball at Carlisle. “I really enjoyed it, I really appreciate the kids, it was just the time,” he said on his resignation decision.
Matthew Best Steps Down as Football Coach
NEWS BRIEF
January 20, 2026
Atlantic Trojan JV team walking onto the field at the Trojan Bowl (circa Oct.13, 2025).
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About the Contributors
John McCurdy, Staff Writer
John McCurdy is a freshman in journalism for his first year. He joined journalism because he’s always been interested in the field. He said, “In fourth grade I made my own newspaper and I work at a radio station.” McCurdy finds his favorite part of journalism “Hard to narrow…down.” Since joining journalism, he has been able to expand his writing skills.
McCurdy is also involved in Civil Air Patrol, speech and debate, drama, tennis, cross country, and 4-H as an officer. Furthermore, he volunteers at local organizations. In his free time, or as he says “what’s left of it,” he enjoys short wave radio science, reading, writing, building model airplanes, and Bible study. In the future, he plans to go to a service academy and receive a commission in the US Military.
Story by Gabrielle Engler
Landyn Wiersma, Staff Writer
Landyn “Evan” Wiersma is a senior at AHS and a first-year member of Journalism. Before transferring from Hudson High School, Hudson, IA, Wiersma had been interested in writing stories beyond the typical news stories, from novels, short stories, or poems, etc. In Journalism, they enjoy writing features and news briefs that focus on topics inside and outside the regular school day.
Outside of class, Wiersma not only enjoys writing long-term, but also enjoys singing and drawing–with one of their art pieces in a showcase in Hudson High School’s commons. They are also credited with various photographs in and out of AHS’s news page.